Read the publishing news these days and there’s so much doom and gloom and anxiety about e-books and print books and booksellers and publishers in trouble and authors getting squeezed and the midlist dropped and it’s enough to make you want to hide under the bed lest a stray Kindle impale you in the forehead. You’d think an infectious disease is sweeping the land, an e-virus that is going to pollute the land with readily available books and increased author entrepreneurship. Run for your liiiiiiiives!
But hey. You can either be scared of the future or excited. I’m pretty excited.
Look, the last few hundred years have been great and everything. Some of my favorite books were written then. We had bound books, novels, bookstores, the smell of the binding, and librarians shushing everything above a whisper. Publishers filtered everything for us, then agents filtered most things for the publishers, and all that resulted in a choice of a few thousand titles in a bookstore. Which sounds like a lot, until you happen to be looking for the Definitive History of the Drunken Monkeys of the Caribbean (in which case, thank goodness for YouTube).
And guess what: that era isn’t going away, at least in the near term. All of those things will still exist, and thank goodness. Those things are really great.
But as I outlined in a past post, in order for a book to become a bestseller in the current era, so many different publishing people have to agree about it before it reaches readers in big numbers. And if anybody in that chain is wrong, poof, that bestseller may not happen.
In the e-book era, everyone will have a shot. And I refuse to believe that’s a bad thing.
Yes, there’s going to be a lot of dreck out there that we’ll have to find a way to sort through. Yes, publishers will be challenged by lower price points and will have to change and adapt to the digital era. Yes, my job will probably change some too, even if I don’t believe agents will go away, especially as they fight so that authors get their fair share of e-book revenue. And yes, this new era will require more of authors than just writing a book in a cabin in the woods and shipping it out for someone else to do the rest. It will require an entrepreneurial spirit and a whole lot of virtual elbow grease.
But what better time to be an author?! All any writer wants is the chance to reach an audience and see what happens from there. Just a chance. And it’s looking like everyone’s going to get that chance.
To be sure, the vast majority of books will only be read by a few people. Riches and celebrity are not in everyone’s future, I don’t care how many drunken monkey books there are. Established authors and the traditional publishing industry will still have enormous advantages. Eyeballs will be key, and those eyeballs will have a whole lot of shiny objects attempting to distract them.
But soon everyone will have their shot. Books will catch on out of nowhere through word of mouth, probably even books that publishers may not have taken a chance on in the past. Readers will decide what they want to read rather than having those choices constrained in advance. Authors will have more control over their own future than ever before.
And I think that’s pretty great.
Sharon –
I know, it's scary, but honestly, I don't think shameless self-promoting is required at all.
You know, Nathan had a terrific post a few weeks ago about choosing the type of promotion that works well for you. Matching your personality to the type of marketing you do. Then it comes naturally and easily and will feel genuine to other people. It might even be fun to promote something you are so proud of, if you promote it in a way that fits your natural style.
My computer is slow as molasses right now or I'd find the link to Nathan's post. But you might search through the posts – it was within the last couple of months.
Personally, I do shamelessly promote myself, but that's just because it's fun. It's not like I've written a book or anything. But once I get around to writing a book, I plan to write the most astounding, incredible, magnificent, awe-inspiring book in the history of Western civilization, and then I'm going to tell a few people about it.
That should do it. 🙂
Wanda B.:
I do like the idea of self-promotion. But I am I'm bewildered about how the masses find your promotion "out there" amidst the thousands of other promotions. What does one do or write or say to promote–and where? (Yes, I am that clueless. Sorry, folks–be patient with me.) I'm not very inventive, apparently or imaginative when trying to figure this out–it's like learning Latin for me. I like the idea of e-books and paper books–like Debutauthor wrote–all books are great. But I am crass enough to be cautious as far as payment is concerned. I want my characters to be known and loved and I am willing to fight for them, but what is the best way to do this? I have no experience in self-promotion and don't know where to even start. This is why my head feels like it's in a vice! ha! Any ideas? Or am I over-thinking this like I do everything else? Thank you. Sharon
Thanks Nathan, for being positive and realistic at the same time. Push versus pull. Promotion vs demand. Selling versus word-of-mouth. Both seem necessary, but word-of-mouth seems vital. Incidentally, comments on your previous post have just passed the 1,000 mark. Is that a record? John.
Aren't musicians having a much harder time, generally, making a living, since the advent of MP3? You either have to tour to death or resign yourself to being a musician as a hobby, because you can't make enough money selling music. I would think the same thing would happen with books. Part of the problem *is* the noise consumers have to sort through, and it's why, I think, the older acts are still the ones that sell the most. No one knows what else to do…what other music to buy.
I see opportunities as well as risks and agree that the change is inevitable. But even among kids it's not entirely welcomed. My son decided not to apply to Grinnell College, an excellent school, because of their commitment to becoming paperless. "I like to hold my work in my hands," he said. The idea of kids being handed e-readers in school would make him sick to his stomach. There are different learning styles and personality types and he dreams of being a writer in the woods. He hates turning on his computer, doesn't watch much TV, doesn't have text on his phone (well, that's because I wouldn't pay for it, because I couldn't see why a kid wouldn't be texting during class). I'm a marketing professional and can live with what writers will have to do. But it's interesting that all this technology has actually made the world a less tolerant and flexible place for those who might have much to contribute but just don't want to participate in all this noise.
I disagree quite strongly with quite a lot of your posts, but this one is absolutely spot on. What we forget about the past – and it's the case with music as well as books – is that before the current age of the gatekeepers, there were other times when self-publishing had a fairly free rein – and there was a LOT of dreck (my wife's a classical musician – she's always relating stories of new performances of long lost works for 200 years ago "there's a REASON they were lost" she reminds me). We just don't see it now – because actually hostory did a pretty good job of filtering it out. my take is that the quality/quantity bemoaners are actually pretty patronising towards readers – quality will rise – sure what's popular now may have disappeared in 10 years' time; but the genuine masterpieces, even those that go unrecognised, WILL surface in time – in a way they might not have have done a few decades back.
In answer to Claudia, yes, bands have to make their money on the road not in the studio. As a writer I also see that as an opportunity. For me art is about the conversation between artist and audience – that direct communication, the opportunity to look into your audience's eyes and see the effect your work has – that's not a chore, it's a privilege. And if the new model – where what we "value" (monetarily) is not a physical thing, a book, but the whole package – gets writers out of their garrets and in fornt of their readers and reminds them what storytelling is all about, I can't see that as anything but beneficial.
Nathan,
You said:
"…can find writers who have achieved a certain level of success on their own but need someone to translate that success into a better deal, more $$, and more opportunities."
You seem to be describing something very close to the traditional role of a band's business manager.
-Steve
Interesting perspective.
Are you sayin that those of us fortunate enough to be above dreck, but unpublished and unsigned, should give it a shot?
I suppose it's nice to know that if you want to say something, you can, without having to do it the long way.
Totally agree Nathan…I think electronic publishing won't replace the traditional publishing industry, but will simply be another avenue authors can use to get discovered by traditional publishing houses.
We shouldn't confuse the industry with the medium used by the industry. The main thing that publishing houses offer is exposure and evolving the medium won't change that fact. You can get a book printed on your own, but it doesn't do any good if people don't know about it.
This will continue to be the case no matter what medium is used…whether paper or electronic text.
Thanks for not being afraid to be optimistic. Are you going to throw a party when you get to 3,000 followers? 3,000!!!
This is the pep talk I needed. Thanks, Nathan!
Nathan said:
"…can find writers who have achieved a certain level of success on their own but need someone to translate that success into a better deal, more $$, and more opportunities."
Steve commented on this:
You seem to be describing something very close to the traditional role of a band's business manager.
That description could also apply to a pimp or Mary Kay district manager.
Mary Jo
I am not sure Salinger would agree with you. Most writers are not entrepreneurs. Their profession and their craft demand other qualities. The more a writer is a craftsmen (or woman) the less likely he or she will be entrepreneurial. You need to be predisposed to some form of solitude, otherwise it is not going to work.
My first three Kate Shugak novels were paperback originals. The fourth started Berkley's Prime Crime series in hardcover. I.e., they were testing the waters, could I sell or couldn't I? Could I help them generate a profit at a higher price point? Turns out I could (whew).
I can see a business model where publishers test a writer's potential market by bringing out their first novels in eBook format(cheapest production costs), and as the writer's readership increases upgrading them through mass, trade and hardcover (steadily more expensive formats).
No? Yes?
Nathan-
When do you think we'll be able to interact with our e-books, meaning, if we're reading about Henry VIII we'll be able to look at his picture/bio on Wikipedia. Or if we have a character who's a carrion beetle we can link to a u-tube of them burrying a body. I think that will bring a lot more readers into the mix. I can't wait for that day myself, both as a reader and a writer
Dana
Not that I'm in any way, shape, or form part of the publishing world (yet!) but that sounds like it'd be a great idea for publishers…as well as authors. You try out a new author, or an established author who might be venturing out of their tried-and-true genre(s), and see if anything sticks. If it does, then you can put in the additional time and money to do a more traditional printing. And of course as Nathan, or perhaps a commenter, mentioned the industry could something similar with people who are self-publishing on these platforms, or indie-publishing.
Mary Kay –
Actually, I don't think it decribes a pimp. Pimps don't usually require success prior to engaging a worker.
And by engaging a worker, I mean using physical, verbal and emotional violence, very real threats and intimidation, as well as emotional manipulation to force an extremely exploitative relationship that frequently becomes a form endentured servitude or even slavery.
Sort of a different business model.
Yes, it IS a great time to be an author, especially an indie who is self-published to Kindle.
Just two months ago I couldn't find indie books in the top 100 sellers (category) lists on Kindle. Today I see many indie books in the top 100, and a few holding down the #1 bestseller position in their category.
I just checked the hourly charts for contemporary romance, for example (a highly competitive genre), and there are 5 indie books in the top 25! The #2 spot is Elisa Lorello's fantastic book (Faking It) ! McQuestion, Nordin, and Braziel are there too!
You are right — this is a GREAT time to be an author, and the self-pubbed Kindle authors are quickly building an audience.
I live in a little log house in the woods by a creek with bears and bobcats and other critters – but, yeah, I still have to work me arse off *laugh*
You know, the other day I was worrying how I didn't try to find an agent and maybe I should have, or should do so; how I wasn't sure if I could be selling more books if "I'd just do …whatever…that big time authors did" -sniffling that not only Oprah hadn't called but I still wasn't mentioned in (insert some place here) *laugh* ….
Then…well, then I went to the bookshelf and pulled down my published book, smelled it, thumbed through it, and then I looked at the contract for the second book and pulled up the cover for it …and suddenly I felt pretty durn happy . . . soon I'll have two books out and a maybe on a third. All the rest of the "Stuff" is just "Stuff" …yeah, Good Stuff, but maybe one day I'll have even more Good Stuff ….and if not…well…
I figure – there is always The Next Thing – we want more more more when sometimes just what we have is pretty cool….
Now I'm smiling.
Anon @11:05 AM 2/5/10 –
There are lots of ways to promote eBooks. You can get together with other authors, put interesting information about your books on a CD – book covers, excerpts, free short stories, etc. – with links to the authors’ websites and purchase pages, make 100 or more copies of the CD and hand them out for free at book fairs and conventions. Another way to promote eBooks is to go to places where people who like your genre get together, e.g. science fiction/fantasy conventions are great places to appear as a speaker or book seller if you're a science fiction or fantasy writer. You can bring along a laptop and actually show people the eBook versions of your books. You can also have T-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. that feature your book covers created at a place like Café Press and give them out as prizes. You can have pencils engraved with your website very cheaply at places like Oriental Trading and, again, you can give those out for free. Taking out ads in magazines is another way to promote, and you can do this more cheaply if several authors chip in for one ad featuring multiple books. Getting reviews and winning awards on popular websites also helps sell eBooks. And it's very important to have a website.
My last post was meant for Anon @11:05 PM 2/4/10. For some reason, I thought that post came in this morning. I obviously need another cup of coffee. 🙂
SFixe @8:59 PM 2/4/09 said:
"I own a kindle, but still find myself buying books. I actually feel bad paying a lower price?
Sometimes it feels like Im stabbing my kind (wanna be authors) in the back."
Actually, although this might change in the future, authors usually earn a much larger percentage in royalties on eBooks than on paperbacks or hard covers.
“Shameless” self-promotion? I don’t get it. Why should the word “shame” come into play at all? I PROUDLY self-promote! My book is friggin’ awesome–ask any reader to whom I've proudly self-promoted!
Thank you, Nathan! I'm on a writing residency right now, and this is just the encouragement I needed. 🙂
Good point, Vegas Linda! Love hearing about your book's success. 🙂
Marilyn,
In terms of lowering royalty rates, I hope not. If Amazon is willing to give 70%, I doubt Amazon will significantly lower royalty rates at any point in the forseeable future – they're trying to build an empire. And down the road, there will be most likely be competition over authors. I hope so, anyway.
Lovely! I feel the same way.
The industry might be in the process of making huge changes, but I agree that it's a great time to be an author.
With all of the social networking venues available through the Internet, anyone really does have a chance at being noticed and making a name for his or herself. The price wars might have many issues up in the air right now–but what writer writes for the money? Sure, we all want to make a living, but those of us who are realistic weren't writing with huge dollar signs in our eyes to begin with.
Change is good. I look forward to it.
What a great post – when looking for an agent (or a publisher), I think a positive, forward-thinking attitude toward ebooks is going to turn out to be very important to an author.
YES! Positive!
Change is inevitable. I'm glad I finally found a post that said something GOOD about it! Nicely done!
Frankie
You will fail to be surprised that I agree, of course.
Although I do quibble with this:
All any writer wants is the chance to reach an audience and see what happens from there. Just a chance.
I think that most writers also want a lot of money, a yacht, adulation, happiness, and a private tropical island. But maybe I'm projecting.
I've heard the film industry is changing due to digital. Since they can deliver the content to movie theaters electronically instead of shipping it out, more indie films might make it to the big screen before the small screen. Interesting to think about the parallels.
Mira @11:38 AM 2/5/10 –
Ever since I was first published, I’ve received about 3x the royalty percentage for my eBook novels compared to my paperback novels. 🙂
except of course that the ability to write and the ability to sell are seldom found in the same person
Marilyn,
Good to know – definitely! 🙂
Thank you Mira. I will find Nathan's post that you suggested.
Thank you, Marilyn Peake, for your wonderful and inventive suggestions!!!! I have copied that and put them on my desktop for inspiration when my time comes to shamelessly promote.–Sharon
It's all good! But learning about the Drunken Monkeys of the Caribbean was HILARIOUS!!!
Thank you, Nathan. Today really isn't so different; authors have always had their challenges. An excellent author, Diana Abu-Jaber said regarding a manuscript she wrote, and re-wrote, and re-wrote, that she finally threw it on the floor and stomped on it. Dues will be paid! It is an exciting time for us. Now, I have to get off my computer, I have a manuscript that needs attention. ;-D
Unfortunately I think this is wrong in so many ways:
what is really going to happen is – the crappy authors and bad books that can find a budget for massive self promotion are going to get all the sales, nasty business tactics will be used to attack nay-sayers and competitors, the general public (that can't really tell a good book from a bad one) will be educated to believe that glitz and glitter mean 'good writin' and best sellers will be featured on the cover of the electronic versions of tabloid rags. Meanwhile, the bottom drops out for most mid-list authors and we end up with a glut of waiters who used to be writers.
The opportunity is there. It's up to authors to capitalise on it, but sweat, persistence, patience and the drive to work late nights don't come packaged free with this opportunity. These assets are what determine the kind of success you'll likely have. Regardless of your budget.
Sharon –
I'm so glad you liked those ideas!
This really helps… I've been feeling down lately about trying to break in as a new author. Thanks!
As long as, one day, I get to know that someone I didn't email it to directly is reading and enjoying my novel, I will always be excited about the process and getting to that point. It's always a great time to be an author!
Hi Nathan, Your comments are encouraging to this author of one published book and two wannabes. I have taken my published book and, with retained digital rights, published it in ebook format. I am relieved by the concept that even one book already published can attract an agent, it sure beats the endless querries. I would much rather spend my time writing books. Thanks for the encouraging words.
Launa McNeilly, Lies, In a Season of Tribulation